Destination & Activities
Planning Your Trip
Nestled in the tranquil Sintra Mountains near Lisbon, Portugal, this retreat dates back to the 14th century, when both hermit monks and Lisbon royalty called the area home. Today, guests can relax with a round of golf or day at the spa or by exploring the Estoril coast. Here’s what to bring to experience it all.
For sightseeing, bring a pair of long trousers and a shoulder-covering top. Shorts and shoulder-revealing shirts are not recommended inside some churches and religious sites.
Summer Escape
- In summer, temperatures tend to hover around a comfortable 75 degrees Fahrenheit with sunny skies — ideal for making the most of the outdoor activities in the Sintra Mountains or the 545-acre national park. Be sure to pack these essentials:
- Bring a comfortable pair of shoes for exploring the grounds, whether it’s the resort’s on-site labyrinth or for trekking along the Historical Circuit — a 60-minute hike that passes important sights from the 16th to 19th centuries like royal apartments, the monastery and several gardens.
- Just 10 minutes from the resort are the tranquil waters of Estoril Coast. Bring a bathing suit to soak up the sun or, for the kids, to learn to surf on the calm waters. The bathing suit will also come in handy at the resort’s indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
- While temperatures remain comfortable year-round, it’s still wise to bring a hat to protect against the sun, which is strong during summer. Also be sure to bring sunscreen.
Winter Vacation
- Even in the depths of winter, temperatures tend not to dip much below 55 degrees, meaning all the fantastic outdoor adventures available at Penha Longa are accessible year-round. Just bring a few additional items to be prepared for a slight chill:
- Bring a pair of tennis shoes to make the most of the lower temperatures by playing a few rounds of tennis, squash or padel.
- Explore nearby Sintra and its historic gems like the colorful Pena Palace or the ninth-century Moors Castle, just be sure to take a jacket to be prepared as the temperatures dip.
- Rain can creep up unexpectedly during winter, so be sure to bring a raincoat and umbrella.
Golf Getaway
- Pack wisely to explore all three of the circuits at the property’s famed golf course — one of the top 30 in Continental Europe and host to the Open de Portugal.
- Particularly in winter, it’s wise to bring a pair of waterproof golf shoes in case the turf is a bit wet.
- While it is possible to rent demo clubs at the course, consider bringing your favorite clubs along with you.
- Set in the hills, the views are impressive, so bring a pair of sunglasses to avoid squinting in the sun — and to more easily track your ball off of the tee.
This circa 14th-century estate has so much to offer beyond its impressive history. Take in a round of golf (or three), relax at the spa, enjoy a world-class meal or explore the nearby national park. Just be sure to reserve a few experiences in advance to make the most of your visi
We welcome you to enjoy signature culinary experiences at one of our seven restaurants: LAB by Sergi Arola with a Michelin Star transports diners on a highly innovative and emotional gastronomic journey; Midori, awarded with its first Michelin Star offers Japanese gourmet cuisine; Spices our new Pan Asian restaurant inspired in four different cuisines: Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Thai; Arola, also with the signature of Chef Sergi Arola, where tapas are recreated in a trendy and relaxed atmosphere; Penha Longa Mercatto, delivering Italian flares and tastes for the whole family; AQUA, our seasonal poolside restaurant showcasing fresh fish and light meals and B Lounge, the lobby bar where our mixologists create the most incredible cocktails.
Begin a day of relaxation in the spa’s gardens, where guests will find a soaking tub, contrast pool and waterfall as well as serene gazebos for meditation. Next, make an appointment for a relaxing treatment.
In addition to the myriad activities available in the games room (like foosball, darts and Xbox), the resort’s youngest guests can partake in swimming or golf lessons, cooking workshops, horseback riding, DJ lessons, and even spa appointments specifically for guests 16 and older.
The resort is nestled in the 545-acre national park, so there are ample activities within the grounds. But for those looking to go a bit farther afield, consider a drive to the nearby Estoril Beach for sun and surf; a day touring through the historic town of Sintra with the stunning Pena Palace, National Palace and Moors Castle; or take a quick jaunt to Lisbon for a whirlwind tour of the coastal capital city.
With centuries-old palaces and gardens tucked amid acres of picturesque wooded hills and mountains, it’s easy to see why authors and poets have fallen in love with Sintra, Portugal. (Byron referred to it as a “glorious Eden.”) Penha Longa Resort sits ensconced amid the 545 acres of this extraordinary protected parkland, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape. Visitors will be enchanted by this fairy-tale land’s historic sites, while its more modern destinations — beautiful beaches, Michelin-star restaurants, award-winning golf courses, and a world-class spa — help ensure the stories always end with “happily ever after.”
Edible Adventures
Palaces and castles, fairy-tale forests and dramatic cliffs: Those are the images that first come to people’s minds when they think of Sintra. But this otherworldly UNESCO-listed destination is slowly gaining recognition for another of its gems: rich gastronomy.
Author a room pool for which API response Exists
Family Fun
The protected parkland around Penha Longa Resort contains so many historically notable sites that it earned UNESCO’s first World Heritage Cultural Landscape designation. The park is home to cobblestoned villages, elaborate palaces and stunning Atlantic beaches and cliffs, all within a comfortable commute of the relaxed, luxe Penha Longa. Western Portugal’s enviable wealth of destinations warrants an ambitious itinerary that includes something for every family member who’s lucky enough to explore it.
Author a room pool for which API response Exists
Morning
You’re on a Roll! Once you’ve explored Penha Longa’s exquisite grounds on foot, hop into a Jeep for a tour of the most interesting sites in the surrounding 545-acre Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.
Afternoon
A Towering Achievement. Enjoy the expansive views from the Royal Tower at the Castelo dos Mouros. The parapets and ramparts of this military fort stand as testament to the Muslim Andalusians who controlled the Iberian Peninsula from the eighth century until 1147.
National Treasures. The Palacio Nacional de Pena is a dizzying blend of architecture. One wing is a former monastery built in 1511; the other, added 350 years later, evokes German Romanticist castles. You’ll wander past artwork and artifacts and into chapels and halls. Or take a horseback ride through the gardens and orchards of Pena Park.
Evening
A Taste of Italy. Venture to the Mediterranean with dinner at Il Mercato. The laid-back resort restaurant highlights the most extraordinary dishes found throughout the 20 regions of Italy — never fussy, always fabulous.
Morning
Have a Fling. Try your hand at pétanque on the sports field at Penha Longa. Try to land your boule as close to the target as possible; unlike bocce, players usually toss their ball instead of rolling it, which allows for backspin, and the sport can be played on any appropriate surface — no official court required.
Afternoon
Surf and Turf. The solitary nature of Ursa Beach is why it’s considered among Portugal’s most beautiful — as long as you’re game for the hour long hike back up the cliff when it’s time to leave. Adraga Beach, farther up the Atlantic coast, is popular with surfers because of its crashing waves.
Evening
Wuthering Heights. Watch the sun drop into the Atlantic from the lighthouse and massive wind-battered cliffs of Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe and, until the late 14th century, believed to be the edge of the world.
Morning
Par Excellence. The world-class golf courses at Penha Longa Resort are ranked among the top 30 in continental Europe and take players on a journey through challenging hills and past picturesque lakes, medieval walls and castle towers.
Afternoon
Scientific Self-Discovery. Test and track your wits and reflexes while discovering tenets of science and technology at the Sintra Live Science Centre. The museum’s interactive exhibits let visitors even measure their own emotions.
Media Blitz. NewsMuseum examines the past, present and future of journalism and media, from radio-fueled revolutions to virtual reality. Browse galleries of famous photos and test your knowledge by answering questions about everything from the Gutenberg press to TV tickers.
Evening
Soak Up Some Local Flavor. The cobblestone streets of Sintra’s town center wend past quaint shops and eateries well worth checking out. The fifth-generation Piriquita bakery, famous for its travesseiros and queijadas, has been in business for 160 years. For traditional Portuguese dinner entrées, duck into Tulhas Restaurante.
Morning
Continental Brehakfast. Power up with espresso, scones and traditional pastries from Saudade, a charming coffee shop that occupies a historic former cheesecake factory (and still sells queijadas today).
The Royal Treatment. Beat the tourist buses and get an early start at the National Palace of Sintra. The palace is the only one in Portugal that has survived virtually intact from its Middle Ages incarnation, so its Moorish features, including dazzling tilework, remain today.
Afternoon
It Will Be Epoch! The Sintra Natural History Museum takes visitors even further back in time — millions of years, to be exact. Thousands of fossils, minerals and other specimens reveal the evolution of life over the geological eras.
Evening
Utopian Ideals. Savor the vibrant flavors of Asia at Spices Restaurant's dinner in the evening! Embark on a culinary journey through the diverse and cuisines of Asia. From the fiery spices of Thailand to the delicate nuances of Japanese cuisine, the menu offers a symphony of taste sensations to delight every palate.
Morning
Garden Party. The paths through the elaborate hunting grounds at the Monserrate Palace wind through separate Japanese and Mexican gardens; more than a thousand rosebushes; and Portugal’s first lawn. The building itself is a stunning combination of Arabic, Gothic and Indian architectural styles.
Afternoon
Robe Warriors Relax and recharge at Penha Longa Spa, which in 2017 was named the best luxury resort spa in Portugal. The 16,000-square-foot, Thai-inspired facility offers signature treatments for adults, featuring products by Spanish luxury brand Natura Bissé, as well as unique options for teens and tweens.
Evening
Freedom of Choice The options are plentiful at B Lounge, where the menu includes a selection of Portuguese appetizers. The accompanying bar, not to be outdone, offers more than 150 gins.
Countryside Pleasures
Penha Longa Resort and the town of Sintra are nestled amid a forest preserve peppered with castles and convents that once served as home to Portuguese royalty, hermitical monks and even Neolithic communities. In 1992, UNESCO established a World Heritage Cultural Landscape category to reflect an area’s bounty of cultural and public goods, and bestowed its first such classification upon Sintra. On this three-day adventure, you’ll explore and examine some of the sites that made this area so worthy of the honor.
Author a room pool for which API response Exists
Morning
Peruse the Past. The Penha Longa Resort, site of what was once a getaway for Portuguese royalty, sits amid the eponymous “long rocks” of a 545-acre national park. Guests can explore the resort’s sights, including a 14th century monastery, with a trainer-led Historical Circuit tour. If the views don’t get your heart racing, the agreed-upon pace of your 60-minute walk will.
Midday
Heighten Your Senses. Relax and recharge at Penha Longa Spa, which in 2017 was named the best luxury resort spa in Portugal. The 16,000-square-foot, Thai-inspired facility offers signature treatments for adults, featuring products by Spanish luxury brand Natura Bissé, as well as unique options for teens and tweens.
Afternoon
Moor to See. Gaze out onto the town of Sintra, the vast plains beyond and even the Atlantic coastline from atop the battlements and walkways of Castelo dos Mouros. The stone-walled testament to the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula in the eighth century continues to reveal new information about its previous residents; archaeological digs have revealed artifacts dating to 5,000 B.C.
Evening
Sit at the Kitchen Table. Reserve the Chef’s Table Experience at Arola to discover the skills and techniques that go into preparing such an acclaimed menu of modern Portuguese cuisine. You’ll watch chefs create special courses that aim to surprise and delight their guests — including you, of course.
Morning
Fore Play. The world-class golf courses at Penha Longa Resort are ranked among the top 30 in continental Europe and take players on a journey through challenging hills and past picturesque lakes, medieval walls and castle towers.
Midday
Roll With It. After your game, recover at Penha Longa Spa with a round of Quiro Golf Massage by Natura Bissé. During the hour long, head-to-toe treatment, therapists roll and knead golf balls across muscles to relieve stress, reduce inflammation, improve flexibility and restore energy.
Afternoon
Moor to See. For the most fascinating experience at Quinta da Regaleira, you’ll need to sink to new lows. Subterranean passageways connect the ornate five-story palace with a nearby chapel. Likewise, the path at the bottom of an eight-story deep “initiation well” leads to grottoes, caves and the elaborate 9-acre gardens. (Visitors can always traverse the property aboveground, too.)
Spartan Seclusion. The Convento dos Capuchos offers a stark study in contrasts from the previous stop’s splendor. The only comfort offered in the tiny cells of this convent, carved out of stone and the granite mountainside during the 16th century, was a cork lining, embodying the Franciscan principles of austerity its friars lived by.
Evening
Coastal Cuisine. Savor the vibrant flavors of Asia at Spices Restaurant's dinner in the evening! Embark on a culinary journey through the diverse and cuisines of Asia. From the fiery spices of Thailand to the delicate nuances of Japanese cuisine, the menu offers a symphony of taste sensations to delight every palate.
Morning
Learn Some Moor. The history of the Palácio Nacional de Sintra begins more than a thousand years ago, when Moorish craftsmen constructed a fortress during the Muslim occupation of the region. Today its twin chimneys are the symbol of Sintra, and its walls are the world’s greatest showcase of azulejos Mudéjar (colored glazed tiles).
Afternoon
Go West. The solitary, unspoiled nature of Ursa Beach is why it’s considered among Portugal’s most beautiful — as long as you’re game for the hour long hike back up the cliff when it’s time to leave. If not, consider Cabo da Roca, the western most point of continental Europe. These massive wind-battered bluffs are home to a lighthouse and unfettered sunset views of the Atlantic.
Evening
Star-Quality Cuisine. Enjoy a true culinary experience at Lab by Sergi Arola, the Michelin Star restaurant that combines an intimate environment with inventive gastronomy. The dining room seats only 22 guests, who can choose from three tasting menus, à la carte options and an impressive 550-bottle wine selection.
Your Privacy Choices